PIRATES CLIMB TO SECOND POSITION IN THE LOG

Ndumiso Mabena of Bloemfontein Celtic challenged by Pirates Musa Nyatama

ORLANDO Pirates registered their first league victory since September when they defeat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 at Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.

Former Celtic player Musa Nyatama scored his first goal and the colors of Buccaneers and that was the goal that decided the encounter.

The victory saw Pirates climb to second place in the log, they are now one point behind leaders Baroka FC who failed to extend the gap when they drew 2-2 with Platinum Stars on Sunday afternoon at Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Pirates drew four and lost two in their past six games. Their last victory was against Cape Town City whom they defeated 1-0 early in September.

Scoring goals seems to remain a challenge for Pirates who have only scored nine goals in 12 league matches. Last Tuesday when Pirates played to a goalless draw against Golden Arrows, coach Milutin Sredojevic was not impressed with the lack of killer instinct in the team.

But it is still remains a challenge for the mto convert most of the chances they create. Against Celtic Pirates did not create many goal scoring opportunities, but they were moments where they could have punished Celtic.

After the game Pirates coach Micho was impressed with his charges performance, talking to SuperSport TV he said: “I think we had a very good planning of the game in every aspect from Tuesday. We dominated as usual and created chances.”

"At halftime we focused on bringing ourselves to scoring positions and Nyatama scored from the same thing we anticipated in the middle from deeper position. Congratulations to him and all the team members.

"We worked very hard, the mental block that was in front of us, six games without a win, when you have such mental block even the legs are logged. I believe with winning this is how the legs are unlocked and we can play our football. To play good defensively, not allowing the opposition to have chances and dominating in the middle and to convert chances. This is the beauty of the game.”

WEEKEND RESULTS SATURDAY

Maritzburg United 0-0 Wits 
Chippa United 0-0 Mamelodi Sundowns  
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 Free State Stars 
Ajax Cape Town 2-2 AmaZulu
Golden Arrows 2-2 Cape Town City 

SUNDAY, 
Bloemfontein Celtic 0-1 Orlando Pirates 
Baroka 2-2 Platinum Stars